SHATTERPROOF Thriving After Domestic Abuse

I’m Mickie Zada and I lived in abuse…for 34 years…from age 19 until I was 53.
I believe we create our realities, and I chose to stay in a damaging relationship for so long because I thought it was my Calling. I was wrong.
I changed me. I am now an enthusiastic participant in Life.
“The words ‘I am’ are potent words; be careful what you hitch them to. The thing you’re claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you.” A.L. Kitselman
I am a strong woman, a fabulous woman, over 60 years old.
I am a Change-agent. I am an encourager. I am uniquely qualified to speak to living in abuse, getting out and surviving to the fullest extent. I know what it takes. I know the fear. I am a survivor.
I am a coach.
I am happy to have these “I Am” words to reach back and claim me!
The actions I teach and share are those that I’ve learned in my Journey from choosing to live in abuse to choosing to create my authentic life; safe, sound, Real.
I invite you to read through this web page. Think about who I Am. Read blogs, listen to some podcasts, watch live videos. Do we connect?
I am open and exposed. Choose to reach out to me or not.
What I know for sure is that I lived the life of abuse, and got out, and I’ve thrived, to serve as a beacon to other women.
If you live in abuse, or you’ve recently escaped, it’s my Mission to support and encourage you to choose and live a healthy life.
The materials, the tools, the support is here.
It’s your responsibility to grab hold and change yourself, from the in-side out.

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Addressing tough issues with confidence, encouragement and love of life, this show is both entertaining and inspiring.

My guest is a survivor of sexual abuse (including rape); partner abuse; and is the mother of twins who were abused by their biological father after a judge granted him visitation rights when the children were three years old.

She loves to meet new people whether online or just around the corner. Can’t live without music, traveling and chocolate. She loves psychology, learning, nature, reading & writing. Four cats, a boyfriend and kids keep her crazy busy.

An enthusiastic participant in life, she believes we can have it all no matter our past.

Alianne Looijenga is the founder of Professionals Against Violence (PAVE) Podcast and is an international speaker who talks about activism and her experiences as a survivor of severe abuse, assault and rebuilding her life after trauma.

Do you know there’s a service dog a program for women suffering from PTSD as a result of sex trafficking and domestic violence?

There is!

Lydia Wood founded an organization called Freedom K9 Project, specifically to meet the needs of women survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking. Lydia said “Integrating into normal life after trauma can seem impossible, but we work with the dogs and the survivors to create a team that leads to the healing of the survivor.” She “gets it”!

Freedom K9 Program pairs service dogs with human partners. Lydia describes the selection process and training the dogs receive. And, the application process for the survivor; it’s detailed so that the woman receives the dog best suited to her life and healing process.

One of the strongest aspects of this program is that it’s structured so that the abuse survivor is eventually able to manage living a normal and healthy life, after PTSD and without her service dog. WOW!

As a home-schooled young woman in a small, relatively closed community, at 19 Sarah was attracted to and married a handsome, charismatic and charming young man who swept her off her feet. Almost immediately, though she was not physically attacked, his rage at the slighted provocation, criticism of her, dangerous, erratic driving, holes punched in walls and smashed dishes created fear and anxiety in her life. She found that she cowered from her husband, chose not to express her own concern and anger at his behavior and learned how to avoid sparking his fury, as best she could.

After their second child was born, Sarah sought therapy. It was then that she accepted she was living in domestic abuse. Three years ago, Sarah escaped her abusive relationship and embarked on a personal growth path. Taking a huge breath, she left her career as a hair stylist to earn her Associates Degree and paralegal certificate. She now is employed as a paralegal, intends to finish her BA and enroll in law school; Her motivation is to fight for survivors of abuse, especially in law as it relates to child custody.

Sarah describes the frustration of dealing with her abuser, her children’s father, arranging regular visits, holidays and special occasions. She shares the solution suggested by her attorney, Talking Parents. For more information about that free program, go to www.TalkingParents.com